The college application process is more than simply filling out a form and sending it in to your school of choice. There is a lot of planning and scheduling that’s involved in choosing the best school for you. Getting a jump-start on the process will help you make informed decisions in the future. Here are a few ways you can get organized and prepared for the college admissions process:
Get started in the summer (AKA now).
For rising seniors, summer is a great time to get started on the college application process. Most colleges and universities open up their application process in August or September, so getting organized early on means you can take your time on college applications, get them in on time, and make sure there are no missing materials or last-minute mistakes. If you’re not a rising senior, summer free time can be a great opportunity to visit schools and get started on a list of which ones you like the best.
Keep a calendar or planner of important dates.
Not all colleges have the same application deadline. Creating a calendar of application deadlines will keep you on track for writing college essays and getting together other materials such as recommendation letters. Scholarship and financial aid deadlines also vary and are important dates to keep in mind throughout the process.
Create a to-do list.
After you’ve researched some schools and know of the application deadlines, make a to-do list of the application items you need to accomplish before that deadline. Whether it’s scheduling a campus visit, taking the ACT or SAT, or writing admissions essays, a to-do list will help you stay organized and keep you on track. Choosing essay topics and taking your tests early will give you a leg-up in the admissions process.
Research your high school processes.
It’s difficult to think about letters of recommendation and transcripts in the early years of high school, but it’s never too early to form a good relationship with teachers and talk to your counselors about how to obtain your official transcript. Although an important part of a college application, these items are often accomplished last-minute. To stay ahead of the game you could add these items to your to-do list as you prepare for the college admissions process.
Keep folders to hold college information.
As you move along in the college application process, creating a folder for each of the colleges you are interested in will help you stay organized. Even though many applications are done online, paper copies of application materials and important info sheets are available at a moment’s notice if arranged and organized in their designated folders.
